AFRL commander nominated for third star, new command

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WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio --  Pentagon officials announced Thursday, Jan. 20 that Maj. Gen. Ellen M. Pawlikowski, commander of the Air Force Research Laboratory here, has been nominated to the Senate for appointment to the grade of lieutenant general and assignment as commander, Space and Missile Systems Center, Los Angeles Air Force Base, Calif.

She will succeed Lt. Gen. John T. "Tom" Sheridan, who is set to retire this summer. General Pawlikowski's successor at Air Force Research Laboratory has not yet been announced and no change of command dates have yet been set.

The Space and Missile Systems Center reports to the Air Force Space Command at Peterson Air Force Base, Colo and is charged with managing the research, design, development, acquisition, and sustainment of satellite, launch and command and control systems. The center has an annual total budget in excess of $10 billion per year and employs a military, civilian and contractor workforce of nearly 6,000 worldwide. The center's responsibilities include on-orbit check-out, testing and maintenance of military satellite constellations and other Department of Defense space systems.

The Space and Missile Systems Center commander is also Air Force Program Executive Officer for Space. The portfolio of programs includes military satellite communication, missile warning, navigation and timing, space-based weather, space launch and range, space superiority, responsive space, and other emerging evolutionary space programs.

"I'm deeply honored by this nomination and if confirmed will be privileged to continue serving with the men and women who defend America," General Pawlikowski said.

Before becoming commander of AFRL, the general was deputy director of the National Reconnaissance Office in Chantilly, Va.  General Pawlikowski has also served in a variety of technical management, leadership and staff positions, to include director of the Airborne Laser Program, commander of the MILSATCOM Wing, and vice commander of the Space and Missile Systems Center.